The evil that is misinformation in The Voice campaign
Craig Badings has seen first-hand the consequences of misinformation being used to spread fear and create division. As debate surrounding The Voice intensifies, he can see the same dangerous pattern playing out.
I grew up in an apartheid South Africa – a politically divisive system that must rank as one of the most abhorrent the world has seen.
Its impact on those without a voice was dire in many instances and servile for others at best. Misinformation and fear were spread spuriously, and it was divisive, ruthless and cruel.
Roll on 2023. A different time, a different country, and while one cannot compare – Australia faces a very different set of circumstances – I see the same pattern of misinformation played out by those seeking to divide.
Many hide beneath the veil of democracy. Of course, it is everyone’s democratic right to have their say. But is it the essence of a democracy to spread lies or half-truths to create anger, fear and resentment? I think not.
What we stand to gain from The Voice is social cohesion, reconciliation and respect. And what we stand to lose is nothing… because it is all up to parliament, like everything else.
The Voice does not mean those who are represented can change laws, nor can they delay decisions by government, and they can’t veto decisions by parliament. All it means is those represented have a say in improving the health, education, employment and justice outcomes for fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Australians have known for decades that government institutions that make decisions for Indigenous are inadequate. Now, to help close the health, education and economic gaps, these decisions must instead be informed by the people for whom they are intended.
So, I ask again… what do Australians have to lose given these circumstances? Nothing.
Fact: only parliament can decide whether to listen to the Voice representatives, only parliament can decide who makes up the body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on the Voice, and once elected, they can only represent matters relating to them.
And if it doesn’t work, only parliament can change it.
All that The Voice does is give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a way to change how governments engage with them. And it gives parliament an opportunity to ask for advice on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Is that so bad? Does that compel a ‘no’ vote?
Some are concerned that the constitutional amendment would mean The Voice could compel the government to listen, but this has been dismissed as highly unlikely by former High Court chief justice Robert French.
I have seen firsthand the corrosive and devastating social impact of people not having a voice in another life and admittedly on a different scale and under very different circumstances.
History is irrefutable in showing us that social coherence and harmony will always win and is always preferable to the vast majority than the alternative of division and resentment.
Craig Badings is a partner at communications agency SenateSHJ.
Our country is already divided.
Voting yes is a way to start healing the division.
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Given the points made by Craig in the article, would you care to step through how you think The Voice would result in a divided country?
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Sorry its a NO from me, NO for a divided country.
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The AEC spends an extraordinary amount of money, and goes to great lengths to reach even the most remote communities around the country to ensure everyone has every opportunity to vote.
Why is an independent voice required when the foundation of our political system is based on the premise of local members representing their local electorate and the issues that affect them?
What does it say about our existing political system and members of parliament?
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Heard today that language and translators are vital to court proceedings in NT and lack of translators results in kids being incarcerated for longer than necessary.
why have not these Voice specialists like Ms. Burney and Mr. Pearson done much about this subject for the past 10-20-30-40 years?
As I said, I heard this today…..I HEARD it. Simple logic. I didn’t need a special panel to get me to listen.
Also, I believe humans own what they build. Nobody owns the dirt, the land, the air, the sky, the ocean, nor the holes in the ground.
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